Dross

For years Judy and I have walked around our beloved Honey Bee Pond  in the spring time mornings.  The views are spectacular.  Lining the pond are tall grassy reeds.  Before you ever see a duck you hear them, along with the various birds that inhabit the reeds.  You then turn a corner to come upon the pond itself and the life that is peacefully gliding on top.  A random grouping of palm trees stand erect just beyond the water and all of that is nicely framed with the beautiful mesa in the background.  So serene and calming.

On the downside, you smell the stagnant water; fight the pesky gnats and occasionally slip on the slimy muck that is along the waters edge.  But still it is one of my favorite walks of all time!

Last year I was devastated to find that the rangers had emptied the pond and burned everything around it!  All that was left was the slimy muck and charred remnants.  Judy and I cursed the rangers that would do such a horrible thing.  What on earth were they thinking?  That pond was one of my "go to places" for peace and comfort and now it was destroyed!

Fast forward one year.  Judy and I decided it was time to return  to our  Honey Bee Pond and went there earlier this week.   The reeds were abundant;  tall, green and thick.  The sounds of the ducks, geese and birds filled the air.  And then we turned the corner.................MAJESTIC PEACE!!!  The water was clean, void of slimy muck and a stagnant smell.  There were only dragonflies flitting around; no  pesky gnats.Resting on a  beautiful, little island that was now out in the middle of the pond, was  a regal white egret just waiting to take flight.

To say that Honey Bee Pond was now better than before would be a huge understatement.  It wasn't just better, it was different.  Changed.  Renewed.  Breathtaking.  Peace giving.  Even sacred.

A burn was needed.  The rangers knew what they were doing.  The pond had to be emptied so the sun could burn off the slimy muck and harden the earth again.  The vegetation needed to be burned so that it could come back healthy, thick and strong.  And  the island..........  sweet refinement for this little pond.

"When through fiery trials thy pathway shall lie,
My grace, all sufficient, shall be thy supply.
The flame shall not hurt thee; I only design
Thy dross to consume and thy gold to refine.